I've lived in the Netherlands for 15 years. Skip Amsterdam and head to these charming, lesser-known places.

I've lived in the Netherlands for 15 years. Skip Amsterdam and head to these charming, lesser-known places.
NEWS | 19 September 2026
After 15 years here, one of the things I love most about living in the Netherlands is how easy it is to travel around the country, and how day-trip (dagje weg) culture is ingrained in Dutch life. Have half a day free? Just jump on the train and go somewhere. I love exploring Amsterdam, but I also like taking myself somewhere new. For a weekend trip, I prefer heading to a cozier town, where the streets are quiet, I can chat with locals in the shops, and an older Dutch gentleman is likely to explain the town's entire history to me while munching on a traditional cookie in a restaurant. Here are four of my favorite small towns, villages, and lesser-known cities to visit.
Author: Dana Marin.
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